MCOM 409: Mass Communication Theories Fall 2015 WEEK 1-4 References: Mass Communication Theory by...

MCOM 409: Mass Communication Theories Fall 2015

WEEK 1-4

References:

Mass Communication Theory by Stanley J. Baran & Dennis K. DavisMcQuail’s Mass Communication Theory by Denis McQuail

Virtual University Coursepack: Theories of Communication – MCM 511

Theory, Model and Paradigm Theory

Jonathan H. Turner defined theory as a process of developing ideas that can allow us to explain how and why events occur.

Theories help us understand or explain phenomena we observe in the social world.

Example: If we feel media instruct us what to and how to think about certain issues-The phenomenon has been theorized as Agenda Setting Theory

Model

Models are a theoretical and simplified representation of a phenomenon.

Example: Basic Model of Communication (Sender Message Channel Receiver)

Paradigm

Paradigm is a whole system of thinking.

“A paradigm is a set of beliefs, values techniques which are shared by members of a scientific community, and which acts as a guide or map dictating the kinds of problems scientist should address and the types of explanation that are acceptable”. (Kuhn, 1970)

Approaches to define theory

A) Stipulative Approach: By setting forth a group of characteristics that must be present in any theory. (Restrictive Approach)

B)Reportive Approach: By looking at entities that have been called theories in the past analyzing the nature of entities. (Inclusive Approach)

Functions of Theory

Types of Functions:

A) Empirical Problem Solving:

Anything about the…. world which strikes us odd, or otherwise in need of an explanation.

Example: Why do interactants of western Culture behave differently as compared to interactants of Eastern Culture?

B) Conceptual Problem Solving:

The conceptual problem can be internal or external.

An internal problem exists when a particular theory exhibits inconsistencies that need to be clarified.

Example: Marshal McLuhan-Media Ecology

External Problem: A particular theory conflicts with an explanation provided by another theory.

Example: Theories of Media Effect contradicting each other.

Functions of Theories..Cont’

C)Practical Problem Solving:

Highlights the role of a theory is solving practical problems

Example: Persuasive Campaigns to promote desirable behavior

Normative Media Theories

What should be the role of Media in SocietyMedia Freedom v/s Media Control

Authoritarian Theory An idea that placed all forms of communication under the governing elites or authorities. Governing Elites are exercising the control to maintain social order.

Libertarian Theory There should be no law governing media operations. All forms of media must be totally un regulated

Totalitarian Theory: Direct control of the media by Dominant political party was seen as essential to prevent

deviant, disruptive views from being expressed by enemies of the people.

Social Responsibility Theory Media’s Obligations to society. Commitment to truth, accuracy, objectivity and balance Self Regulations Avoid coverage leading to crime, violence, civil disobedience Support diversity, should have a pluralistic approach High standards of performance Accountable to society

Introduction to Mass Society

Context of Theory Societal Transformations (in the middle of 19th), Attributed to industrialization Urbanization New Media technologies and Industrial advancement Emergence of mass democracy

Characteristics of traditional and mass societies

Shift from traditional communities to a ‘mass society’. Traditional Societies: Individuals have strong local and social ties Mass Society: Individuals grown isolated and much vulnerable to manipulation

or persuasion by new emerging mass political movements and mass media.

Apprehension about mass media

New technology will disrupt peaceful communities

Mass Media symbolized everything that was wrong with urban life

Media lowered class tastes

Brings Political unrest

Characteristics of Mass Society and Mass Audience

Large number

Widely dispersed

Non-Interactive and anonymous

Heterogeneous

Not Organized

Postulates of Mass Society Theory

Media is a cancerous force must be restructured

Media have power to reach out and directly influence minds of people.

Average people are helpless, violence on TV and Children. Heavy Metal Music and Teenagers

Once Minds are corrupted, result in long term and short term consequences

Drug addictions, dissatisfaction, delinquency

The Social Chaos initiated by Media will be resolved by Totalitarianism, Mass Society is envisioned as a chaotic, highly unstable social order that will collapse and replace by Totalitarianism.

Debase Higher Cultural Forms

Glorify Gangsters

Why not religious leaders and Great Educationists

Why pander to popular taste.

How teachers are portrayed.

Discarding Religion.

Reinforcing Stereotype-Rigid Father and Hypocrites

Decline in the role of mothers

Propaganda TheoriesWalter Lippman Theory:

Question the ability of average people to analyze media messages

Average people can not govern themselves

Public is vulnerable to propaganda

Information gathering and distribution should be in hands of scientific class; promoted idea of scientific technocrats

Magic Bullet Theory

In the 1920s Media was assumed to operate like magic bullets that penetrated people’s minds and instantly created associations between strong emotions and specific concepts.

By carefully controlling these magic bullets, propagandists felt that they could condition people associate good emotions, such as loyalty and reverences with their own country and associate bad emotions, such as fear and loathing with their enemies.

LASSWELL’S PROPAGANDA THEORY.

Propaganda was not so much the result of the substance or appeal of specific messages but rather the result of the vulnerable state to mind of average people.

He argued that economic depression and escalating political conflict had induced widespread psychosis (hang up, obsession)and this made people susceptible to even crude forms of propaganda he rejected simplistic magic bullet theory .

Herman and Chomsky propaganda model

Inequality of wealth and power and its multi level effects on mass media interests and Choices

Filter 01. Size, Ownership and Profit Orientation of Mass Media

Increased Media Concentrations and Expansions

Media Companies are integrated in to the market

Stocks have become market favorite

Increased pressure and temptation to focus profitability.

Cross Ownerships/Non-Media Owners

The control groups of media giants

Having close relationships with other corporate

Taking care of their financial interests

Preferring corporate community

Dependence on the Government

Licenses and franchises

Legal/Technical Dependency

Seeking Policy Support

Favorable taxation, interest, labor and audit policies

Diplomatic Support to penetrate foreign cultures

Filter 02: Advertising

Competition for advertisers to cover production costs

Media tactics to attract advertisers

Maximizing Audience Delivery

Media help advertisers optimize the effectiveness of their network by evaluating audience segments in proportion to usage level of advertisers’ products and services

Media Subsidy

Advertisers are patrons who provide media subsidy.

Developing specialized staff to solicit advertisers, explaining how their programs serve advertisers interest.

Aspire to be an Advertising-Friendly Medium

Promote congeniality for buying and consumption, stress people to consume

Advertisers influence editorial policies, and content of the channels

Fears of withdrawal from Sponsorships

WNET lost funding from Gulf + Western after station broadcasted the documentary “Hungry for Profit” contain content critical of multinational corporate activities

Filter 03: Sources

Relying on the official sources/ Powerful Sources

Information is usually have a spin on it and Managed

Dependency on the official sources

Threats and Rewards further influence the role of journalists and sources

Filter 04: FLAK

The fourth filter is 'flak', described by Herman and Chomsky as 'negative responses to a media statement or [TV or radio] program.

It may take the form of letters, telegrams, phone calls, petitions, law-suits, speeches and Bills, and other modes of complaint, threat and punitive action'.

PEMRA’s allegation against “Zara sochiye campaign”

Legal Action against “ARY News” for broadcasting the objectionable video of Ziarat Residency provided by Outlawed outfit

Filter 05: Political Control Mechanism Anti-Terrorism control mechanism reaches through the system to exercise a

profound influence on the mass media.

Issues tend to be framed in terms of a dichotomization world of terrorists and anti-terrorists